New York Real Estate Blog: Vicente A. Martinez Realtor Brooklyn | Long Island | Queens Homes (Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson)

Thanksgiving is upon us and it's time for family, friends, and food!

The one day of the year that we stuff ourselves and enjoy every morsel of it - as well as the enjoyment of our family and friends!

I wish everyone here and your loved ones a safe, joyous and memory-filled Thanksgiving.......may it be a real BELLY-BUSTER!!!

Here's a couple of videos I came across and want to share with you:

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

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2009 is coming to an end, and it's time to start thinking about what we are grateful for. Take a minute or a few minutes and be grateful for all the little things. You'll see we have a lot to be thankful for. 

Personally, I'm most thankful for my family. My beautiful wife Tyra and my adorable daughters are at the top of the list. A roof over our heads, family reconnecting with us in NYC and around the country, the clothes on our backs, the bountiful family dinners we share during the holidays, this list could go on and on.

Please remember, if you have a good home, and a roof over your head, make sure you do something to help those that do not.

I would also like to thank all the wonderful people I worked for and with this year... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving and Much Prosperity to you and your family!

 Just Listed - 194 Etna St. Brooklyn, NY 11208

Property Description 

2 Family House In Fair Condition. Needs A Little TLC. Perfect For A Growing Family Or A Mother/Daughter Situation. Excellent Starter Home Located Near The Subway And Jackie Robinson Parkway. Average Sized Backyard. Excellent For The First Time Home Buyer Or An Investor Looking To Cash Flow The Property. This Property Is Subject To Bank Approval Of A Shortsale.

Listing Price $349,000

Bsmt/Subfl- Full Partly Finished Basement w/ 2 Bedroom.

1^st Floor- 2 Bedrooms, Livingroom, Eat in Kitchen, Full Bathroom.

2nd Floor- 2 Bedrooms, Livingroom, Eat in Kitchen, Full Bathroom.

Lot Size- 18 x 81

Lot Square Footage- 1,541

Building Size- 18 x 40

Approx Int SqFt- 1,488

Taxes- $2,262

School District- 19

Zoning- R4

Approx Year Built- 1901

Construction- Frame

Block- 4115

Lot- 31

Show Instructions- By Appointment Only

Click here to schedule a private viewing.

Click here to schedule a private viewing.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Just Listed - 194 Etna St. Brooklyn, NY 11208 Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Location: 994 Almbra Rd. Baldwin, NY 11510

Date: Sunday November 15th, 2009

Time: 12 - 3 pm.

Location: 994 Almbra Rd. Baldwin, NY 11510

Date: Sunday November 15th, 2009

Time: 12 - 3 pm.

Property Description 

This is property is in EXCELLENT MOVE-IN CONDITION!!! Gorgeous One Family In N. Baldwin - A Must See!!! Beautiful Custom Kitchen, New Bathroom. Price Reduced! Great House. Located In N. Baldwin. Close To NYC. Remodeled Main Floor With Kitchen, Full Bath, Side Entrance Leads To Yard. Modern Full Bath. Easy To Show Flexible Monday - Sunday. Perfect Starter Or Retirement Home. Convenient Yet Private!

Listing Price $294,500

Bsmt/Subfl- Full Partly Finished Basement w/ 1 Bedroom

1^st Floor- Livingroom, Dining Area/Eat in kitchen,1 Large Br w/ amazing walkin closet.

2nd Fl - 3 Bedrooms, Fullbath

Lot Size- 50 x 100

Lot Square Footage- 5,000

Taxes- $7,879 (does not reflect STAR exemption)

School District- 10 (Baldwin)

Approx Year Built- 1948

Construction- Frame (vinyl siding)

Block- 468

Lot- 37

Location: 994 Almbra Rd. Baldwin, NY 11510

Date: Sunday November 15th, 2009

Time: 12 - 3 pm.

Open House will be hosted by Alan Hilsberg.

Are You Hunting For A House?

In the jungle of real estate it can often seem like a hunt to find just what you are looking for online. 

Instead of spending hours searching, why not let a website do the searching for you?  Take a few minutes to log on, describe what you are looking for, and the homes you want will start popping up in your inbox!  It is fast, easy and without obligation.

- Search over 50,000 homes online and get FREE DAILY UPDATES of the newest properties to hit the market, all meeting YOUR SEARCH CRITERIA.... www.AllNYlistings.com <------ Check it out.

So what are you waiting on?  Get hunting!

N. Baldwin - Gorgeous Brick 1 Fam 4 br SHORTSALE in N. Baldwin- $299k - Take a look

Property Description 

This is property is in EXCELLENT MOVE-IN CONDITION!!! Gorgeous One Family In N. Baldwin - A Must See!!! Beautiful Custom Kitchen, New Bathroom. Price Reduced! Great House. Located In N. Baldwin. Close To NYC. Remodeled Main Floor With Kitchen, Full Bath, Side Entrance Leads To Yard. Modern Full Bath. Easy To Show Flexible Monday - Sunday. Perfect Starter Or Retirement Home. Convenient Yet Private!

Listing Price $299,000

Bsmt/Subfl- Full Partly Finished Basement w/ 1 Bedroom

1^st Floor- Livingroom, Full bath, Dining Area/Eat in kitchen,1 Large Br.

2nd Fl - 3 Bedrooms, Fullbath

Lot Size- 50 x 100

Lot Square Footage- 5,000

Taxes- $7,879 (does not reflect STAR exemption)

School District- 10 (Baldwin)

Approx Year Built- 1948

Construction- Brick (vinyl siding)

Block- 468

Lot- 37

Show Instructions- By Appointment Only

Click here to schedule a private viewing.

Click here to schedule a private viewing.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. N. Baldwin - Gorgeous Brick 1 Fam 4 br SHORTSALE in N. Baldwin- $299k - Take a look Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Did You Know - You Are Entitled To A Yearly Free Copy Of Your Credit Report?

You are allowed to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide credit companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This free credit report can be requested through this website https://www.annualcreditreport.com This website permits you to request a credit report once every 12 months from each of the major consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

It's up to you whether you ask for all three credit reports at the same time or order one today and others later. The benefit of getting all three at the same time is that you can compare them. Just keep in mind that you will not be eligible for another free credit report from the Central Source for 12 months. On the other hand, the advantage of asking for one today and others later -ie., one credit report every four months- is that you can keep an eye out for any changes that may show up on your credit report. Remember, if you order from only one company today you can still order from the other two companies at a later date.

If you find erroneous information and wish to dispute or correct that information in your credit report then contact the credit reporting company that provided the credit report:

• Equifax - www.investigate.equifax.com
• Experian - www.experian.com
• TransUnion - www.transunion.com

Getting back on track is easier than you think. Give it a shot then come back to this post and tell us about your experience.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Did You Know - You Are Entitled To A Yearly Free Copy Of Your Credit Report? Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Did You Know - You Are Entitled To A Yearly Free Copy Of Your Credit Report?

You are allowed to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide credit companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This free credit report can be requested through this website https://www.annualcreditreport.com This website permits you to request a credit report once every 12 months from each of the major consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

It's up to you whether you ask for all three credit reports at the same time or order one today and others later. The benefit of getting all three at the same time is that you can compare them. Just keep in mind that you will not be eligible for another free credit report from the Central Source for 12 months. On the other hand, the advantage of asking for one today and others later -ie., one credit report every four months- is that you can keep an eye out for any changes that may show up on your credit report. Remember, if you order from only one company today you can still order from the other two companies at a later date.

If you find erroneous information and wish to dispute or correct that information in your credit report then contact the credit reporting company that provided the credit report:

• Equifax - www.investigate.equifax.com
• Experian - www.experian.com
• TransUnion - www.transunion.com

Getting back on track is easier than you think. Give it a shot then come back to this post and tell us about your experience.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Did You Know - You Are Entitled To A Yearly Free Copy Of Your Credit Report? Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Selling Your Queens NY Home - Find Out The Value

Are you getting ready to place your home on the market? 

Do you know what its worth? Now is the right time to find out! It's easy! Just log on, provide a few pieces of information about your home, and a FREE analysis of your home's approximate value will be emailed to you. You get all of that without having to speak to an agent. It doesn't get any better than that! Click on the image now and find out today.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Been Extended Thru April 30th 2010! 

In addition to he extension of the $8,000 first time home buyer credit there is a NEW $6,500 Tax Credit available for current homeowners that wish to buy thru April 30th 2010.  They would all have until the end of June of 2010 to close on their new homes.

Keep in mind that this can reduce the federal income taxes that you pay. How you might ask? By deducting the interest of your mortgage and property taxes that you pay every year that you file your income tax returns.

Check out the video below.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Been Extended Thru April 30th 2010!  Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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- New Listing - NEW CONSTRUCTION Short Sale - 360 E 167th St. Bronx NY 10456 -   

Property Description 

2 Family - NEW CONSTRUCTION - 100% Brick Building In The Bronx. Doesn't Need Anythign!! Move In Condition. Amazing Investment Building In Diamond Condition. Great Opportunity For An Investor Or User To Own A Treasure Of Real Estate In This Prime Location.

Listing Price $459,000

Bsmt/Subfl- Full Unfinished

1^st Floor- Apt1 Living room, Dining area, Kitchen, Full bathroom

2^nd Floor- Duplex with 1st floor Apt. - 3 brs and full bathroom

3^rd Floor- Apt2 Living room, Dining area, Kitchen 2 brs and full bathroom

Approx Year Built- 2006

Construction- Brick

Listing Price $459,000

Show Instructions- By Appointment Only

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. New Listing - NEW CONSTRUCTION Short Sale - 360 E 167th St. Bronx NY 10456 Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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3 ways to find deep-discount properties in your backyard!

1. Pick an area that you know is a good rental area.  If you're not sure, ask a Realtor to pull up an area that has a good mix of properties for sale and properties for rent.

2. Ask that Realtor to give you what the DOM  (average days on market) is and what's the average  $/sf sold in that area.

• Let's say if that area normally sells for $225/sf in today's market. Then watch for new REO listings that are listed at around $144/sf and send them an offer. This is what savvy real estate investors refer to as "low hanging fruit".

3. Have a Realtor give you all the REOs that the status recently changed from Pending Sale to Available (that means the deal fell through).

If you live in the Queens, Brooklyn, or Long Island areas send me an email with your specific request (for one or all of the items outlined in this post) and I could email you the local stats.

Please be as spefic as possible when emailing me at ProRealtor@verizon.net

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. 3 ways to find deep-discount properties in your backyard! Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Searching for that special property that you can put some sweat equity into but at the right price and have a great home? This may be the home you have been looking for! Come and see this cozy 1 family, 3 main floor bedrooms, 1 bath - Ranch styled home on a corner lot. Excellent curb appeal! The grounds are truly spectacular at almost 8,000sq.ft. and perfect for entertaining.  But one of the things that really makes this home great is the location on a quiet and peaceful block set back from major roads.

If you are a handy fix-it person this could be a dream come true. It's worth a look. Property is subject to short sale.

To set up an appointment with us to tour this home privately - email ProRealtor@verizon.net

Selling at... $ 294,500

Features

•  Single Family Home

•  Great Location

•  3 Bedroom 1 Bathroom Ranch

•  Desirable East Meadow Location

•  Private Yet Convenient

•  Eat In Kitchen

•  Wall To Wall Carpeting

•  Close to NYC

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. New Listing - 2549 Balsam Ave. East Meadow NY 11554 Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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It's been six months to the day since my last blog post. I was ranked #1 in Queens at the time and #5 in NY State by this site. Today I'm #2 in Queens and #10 in the state of NY. Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Fortunately, I have a great manager, an awesome mentor, and a super supportive family and they all keep me on my toes.

A lot of things have changed in that time and I now have plenty of things to write about. Believe it or not I still get quite a few responses and inquirues from the 460+ posts that I wrote over the last couple of years. Keep your eyes open, you'll be seeing a lot of me from now on. I'm back!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Find Out If Your Contractor Is Licensed - Check This Site First!

Whether you want to find out if your home improvement contractor is licensed or have a complaint against a home improvement contractor check out this site or Call 311. It's easy and it's FREE.

Tips

• Get trustworthy referrences - (also check for complaints in neighboring counties ie. Suffolk, Nassau, and Westchester)
• Cancellation of the agreement- You have the right to cancel the agreement within three (3) days of signing.
• Get the (DCA) Department of Consumer Affairs Home Improvement Consumer Guide by calling 311 or download it here.
• Don't pay more than one third upfront to start the job (continue with "progress" payments)
• Don't take loan advice from your contractor IT'S ILLEGAL!
• Always use a licensed contractor!!

Please note: the links above are good only for the five boroughs of NYC. Home Improvement Contractors who do work in NYC are required to be licensed by DCA. The work includes, but is not limited to, remodeling or repairs of your home (including on your grounds). It does NOT include NEW constructions, or plumbing and electrical work.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Find Out If Your Contractor Is Licensed - Check This Site First! Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Cool Freebie - Great Site Investor's Comb thru Looking For Properties

I'll keep this one short and sweet.

I just came across this site today and I haven't heard or seen anyone on AR using it yet.

Check it out http://www.flipit.com

I hear investors comb this site on a daily basis. Also, the ads are free and you're allowed to renew until the posted property is sold.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Cool Freebie - Great Site Investor's Comb thru Looking For Properties Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Checklist - Spring Cleaning

A key to protecting the investment you've made in your home is by following a regular maintenance schedule. By performing preventative maintenance on an on-going basis, you'll avoid many of the big ticket repair items that can lower the value of your home.

Here are helpful checklists for monthly and spring maintenance.

Inside Your Home

• Test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
• Check the filters on your heating and cooling systems.  Be sure to clean and change according to the manufacturer's schedule.
• If you have a humidifier or an electronic air filter, check these as well.  
• Check faucets for drips. 
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Check furnace air filters each month during the heating season.  Clean or replace as necessary.
• Inspect fireplace, wood stove and chimneys.  Have each clean and serviced as needed.
• When spring begins, shut down and clean furnace humidifier.  Close the furnace humidifier damper on units with central air conditioning. 
• Check air conditioning system and clean or replace air filters.  Have system serviced as need (recommend every 2 to 3 years).
• Check and clean dehumidifier as necessary.
• Where possible, turn off furnace and fireplace pilot lights.
• Deep clean carpets and rugs.
• Vacuum air duct grills and bathroom fan grill.
• Inspect your dryer's lint duct.  Disconnect it from the dryer and vacuum out lint from the duct and areas surrounding your dryer.

In the Basement

• Ensure sump pump is operating properly.  Check to be sure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.
• Check pipes for condensation or dripping.  
• Check the basement floor trap to be sure it contains water.  Refill as necessary.
  

Outside Your Home

• Examine foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture.  Repair as required.
• Check paint on outside walls and fence.  Repair and paint as necessary.
• Check level of any exterior steps or decks which may have moved due to frost or settling.  Re-level as necessary.
• Check and clean out gutters and downspouts.
• Repair loose joints and ensure secure attachment to your home. 
• Clear any obstructions and make sure water flows away from your foundation. 
• Remove any debris from drainage ditches and culverts.
• Prune and fertilize landscaping as necessary.
• Make a visual inspection of your roof (or hire a professional to do so).  Note the general condition.  Sagging could be a sign of structural damage and should be checked by a professional.  Inspect all roof flashings, checking for signs of cracking or leakage.  Replace broken or damaged shingles as needed.
• Inspect windows and doorways.  Replace damaged caulking and weather stripping. 
• Check for and seal holes that could be an entry point for pests and rodents.
  

   
I can't stress how important the following step is.    

• Have a thorough termite inspection if you don't currently have a termite service.  Follow up on any treatment and repair recommendations.     

Remember, termites swarm the first day the tempertaure hits between 75-80 degrees. So have your termite inspector come in and do this crucial spring time pre-clean up. It will save you money in the long run.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author.Checklist - Spring Cleaning Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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De-clutter and get paid

Make money off your clutter on Craigslist!

Looking for a way to de-clutter the basement/attic and make money at the same time? Why not hold an online garage sale? Careful planning and creativity can turn your mountain of junk into a fistful of cash.

First, while you don't need a garage to have a garage sale, you do need some stuff to sell. Take pictures of all the stuff you want to sell and advertise it on Craigslist.com 

One man's trash may be another man's treasure, but don't try to sell actual trash, either. Make sure appliances and gadgets actually work, wash any clothing you intend to sell and make sure other items are clean and in good condition. Here's a list of popular sellers:

• appliances
• books
• costume jewelry
• sports equipment
• children's toys
• flatware
• baby equipment
• CDs, DVDs
• patio equipment
• garden tools
• kitchen utensils/gadgets
• clothing, especially children's

Now that you've decided just what you're going to sell, the following tips will help make your online "garage sale" a success:

• Take pictures of each and every item or items that you intend to "package".
• Don't overprice any of the items or they'll end up back in your garage, basement, or attic
• Be prepared to haggle with customers.

After seven days if you still have anything left over then reduce the price and repost on Craigslist.

Craigslist has clearly established itself as one of the leading online brands and the dominant presence in the US online classifieds market. Give it try!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Springtime Is The BEST Time To Winterize Your Home

When I first moved into my house I was oblivious to the fact that homes need to be winterized. As a result my first winter there was a very cold one and my heating cost went thru the roof. I was able to do a few things here and there but the major things could not be done as they require to be done on the outside of the house.

First thing is first. You should have a professional home inspection performed.

A home inspection will look at the systems that make up the building such as:

• Structural elements, foundation, framing etc
• Plumbing systems
• Roofing
• Electrical systems
• Cosmetic condition, paint, siding etc.

If you are buying a home, you need to know exactly what you are getting. A home inspection, performed by a professional home inspector, will reveal any hidden problems with the home so that they may be addressed BEFORE the deal is closed.

If you are selling a home, you want to know about such potential hidden problems before your house goes on the market. Almost all contracts include the condition that the contract is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory inspection. And most buyers are going to insist that the inspection be a professional home inspection, usually by an inspector they hire.

Old Man Winter is settling in for a long chilly season.

Outside you'll want to:

• Look for deteriorating finishes. Minor problems can be patched to preserve the wood. Put bigger jobs, such as scraping and refinishing painted or stained areas, on the calendar for next spring or early summer.
• Caulk joints and minor cracks on exterior walls and siding. (pic to the right)
• Store or cover outdoor furniture, toys and grill.
• Purchase rock salt for melting snow and a shovel or snow blower if you don't already have one. Make sure you have the right kind of gas and oil on hand for your snow blower in the case of an unexpected snowstorm.
• Drain and shut off sprinkler systems and other exterior water lines to avoid frozen and broken pipes. Leave all taps slightly open.
• Insulate exterior spigots and other pipes that are subject to freezing but can't be drained or shut off.
• Rake and compost leaves and garden debris, or put out for yard-waste pickup.
• Clean storm drains, gutters and other drain pipes.
• Check the foundation for proper drainage. To do this, spray yard with a hose to see if water runs away from the house. A little shoveling to reshape the earth next to the house may make the water run away from the foundation.
• Make sure dirt or piles of wood don't come into contact with or touch siding, inviting termites and carpenter ants into the house.
• Seal driveway and walkway cracks, if needed, before ground freezes regularly.
• Inspect the roof for loose, damaged or missing pieces.
• Check attic vent openings for nests or other blockages.

Here's what you'll want to do inside:

• Have your furnace system serviced to ensure it's working efficiently and not emitting carbon monoxide. (pic to the right)
• Clean permanent furnace filters and replace paper or disposable filters.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
• If you have a fireplace, have your chimney swept thoroughly. It should be cleaned before the soot build up reaches one-fourth inch thickness inside the chimney flue.
• Check your hot water heater for leaks and maintain proper temperature setting (120 degrees recommended by Department of Energy). On older water heaters with less insulation, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit you lower the temperature, you save 6 percent of your water heating energy.
• Check the attic to see if insulation needs to be added or replaced. This is the most significant area of heat loss in many homes, so it is also important to see that it has proper ventilation. Inadequate ventilation could lead to premature deterioration of the insulation materials. You may also need to check insulation in exterior walls, crawl spaces and along foundation walls.
• Check all windows and doors for air leaks. Install storm windows and putty, caulk or add weather stripping as needed.
• Check basement and cellars for seal cracks or leaks in walls and floor.
• Make sure all vents are clean and operating properly.
• Clean and vacuum baseboard heaters, heating ducts and vents.
• Remove or winterize air conditioning units.

Before the temperatures dip too far south, follow these simple guidelines to winterize your home and save money on utilities.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author.Springtime Is The BEST Time To Winterize Your Home Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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Steam Clean The Bathroom - Don't re-tile it!

Whether you're working on your home's seasonal deep clean, or planning to entertain guests, you know the amount of time that goes into cleaning your bathroom.  And if you have a tile bathroom, you know how much elbow grease and time go into scrubbing and polishing.

But why spend all that time and back breaking effort if it can be easier?  Here are a few tips that can help make your scrub down much less painful, and truly showcase the elegance of your bathroom tile.

1. Steam can loosen up even the most stubborn dirt and grime.  Try running a hot shower for a few minutes before tackling the tile.  Good old elbow grease can get any job done, but there's no reason to work yourself to the bone.
2. Ammonia is your comrade in the war on mold, mildew, and bacteria.  Adding a little bit to some soap and water will help knock their foul presence out of the picture and keep them out, while giving your tile a nice polished look.
3. After a good scrub down, a little bit of wax and a quick buff with a hand towel will have your tile glistening, and will also shield it from future scuffs and mucky buildup.

Tile isn't cheap, and isn't always the easiest to maintain.  These tips can help you protect your investment and turn your bathroom into a work of art.  Try them out next time you tackle your tile, and see what a difference they make!

So just remember all of my Queens, NY homeowners... You'll never get a second chance to make a first impression. So let's make every showing count!!

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/

SEARCH over 50,000 homes online for FREE and be the first to know about HOT NEW LISTINGS before other buyers do, please visit http://www.allnylistings.com/

Disclaimer: The above Real Estate information was provided by Vincent Martinez, Realtor for the #1 Real Estate offices in New York and the #4 office in the USA. Vincent Martinez is a Certified Realtor Short Sale Professional by the Long Island Board of Realtors (L.I.B.O.R.) and a member of Prudential Douglas Elliman - Licensed Real Estate Broker. Vincent Martinez does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog post and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information here represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Copyright © 2009 By Vincent Martinez, All Rights Reserved.

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